Trash Talk Leads To July Vote

Sanitation Director Baridi Nkokheli said his department pinpointed 120 multiplex units that are breaking city code by using commercial containers instead of individual, residential trash carts.

“We brought about 50 percent of them into compliance,” he said. “For 37 years, these properties have been out of compliance using commercial containers when the ordinance actually does not allow it.”

He is asking the Board of Directors for permission to enforce the ordinance, which calls for residential trash carts at multiplex units with four living areas or less, and lower the pay rate for those customers.

Nkokheli is also asking for discretion “to make a determination as to whether or not a property actually could use carts or remain with a commercial container.”

At a study session Tuesday, directors agreed to vote on the proposal, minus the rate differential, at a regular meeting July 9.

“I’m not in favor of the rate change,” At-Large Director Kevin Settle said. “I look around where I live at, and some people utilize some services, some utilize none, but they all pay the same. To me, I’d rather see a combined rate for the city.”

Nkokheli proposed a monthly rate of $12.36 for those customers. The residential rate, effective July 1, will be $13.28 per month.

“Our justification for that is that out of the seven services that are provided to single family homes … there are about four of them that are not generally utilized by people living in multiplexes,” Nkokheli said.